About this project

$16,683

249

Hi all,

This is Stephan Franck, creator of SILVER and publisher of Dark Planet Comics. To hear more about the people behind this project, check out this video:

Last year, your support made the initial print run of SILVER Volume 1 possible--remember this video?

Last year's campaign--no pun intended--kickstarted an incredible chain of events, which included a huge convention presence, an exploding fan base, amazing reviews across the board, distribution on thedirect Market through Diamond (which now perennially keeps Silver in stock), and to a general audience through Amazon Prime, with international licenses on the way and more. To round it up, SILVER Vol 1 was nominated to the 2014 Russ Manning Award at San Diego Comic Con, it is currently in play for a 2015 Geekie Award for Best Comic/Graphic Novel, and it made ComiXology Submit's Essential Reads list.

But for all this, the most rewarding aspect has been to meet thousands of fans, and to feel their passion for this story and these characters.

AND NOW, THE STORY CONTINUES WITH SILVER VOL. 2!

In a nutshell: Set in Bram Stoker’s original Dracula universe, 50 years hence into the pulp era of the 1930’s, SILVER Vol. 2 continues the adventures of master thief James Finnigan, Rosalyn “Sledge” Van Helsing, and their team of talented but troubled individuals, as they endeavor to steal an ancient treasure hidden in Dracula’s castle. Suspense, humor, intense character moments and enthralling world-building ensue as the team reaches the castle, and the veil continues to lift on SILVER’s rich and unique mythology.

AS SILVER VOLUME 2 BEGINS, the team boards the Orient Express, which is filled with Vampires travelling to Dracula’s castle. Romantic tension builds between Finn and Sledge, but she may have an ulterior motif for being on the team. We also learn more about Finn’s broken past, as it quickly becomes clear that Tao needs a role-­model in Finn...something that Finn is not equipped to provide. Nonetheless, the team succeeds in pulling off the first steps of the plan in spite of Hamilton having a panic attack at the worst possible time. The team reaches the castle, and we find a powerful, but broken Drac, who never got over the loss of Mina Harker. What happens next.... well, I'm just not going to spoil that for you!

CHECK OUT THESE ENDORSEMENTS!

As with the first volume, some of my comic book heroes came out to support this new volume:

“With SILVER, Stephan Franck cuts right to the bone of the story and masterfully drives his narrative home. A breath of fresh air in the world of comics!” — TOMMY LEE EDWARDS (Marvel 1985, The Question, Turf)

“Why was I not reading this before? Why? Why? Why? It’s everything I love about comics. And everything I miss about a lot of comics these days. Hey Stephan Franck, I want more.” — JIM KRUEGER (Earth X, Justice, The Runner)

The press too, which has reviewed the release of some of the single issues compiled in SILVER volume 2 was also top notch!

“Stunning. Excellence in comic book storytelling.”— NEWSARAMA

And weaved into the "world-building", are some fun little Easter eggs and cameos for the pulp fanatic, so go look for them, it's fun...

SO WHY KICKSTARTER?

With all the Volume 1 success under our belt, you might wonder why we are Kickstarting volume 2, and not just continuing on the series' own momentum. Well, that's because Dark Planet is 100% independently funded, and while we make our money selling books, ALL OUR COSTS ARE UP-FRONT, and they fall into 3 categories:

-PRINTING: that's the price of success--the print runs keep getting bigger, and before we can sell, we need to pay for printing.

-MARKETING: publishing is marketing. We market to the retailers, and to the readers, who range from super fan to casual reader--which mean all separate campaigns.

-CONVENTIONS: The conventions are tremendous opportunities to connect with old and new fans, and a great retail outlet for Dark Planet. However those need to be booked and paid for sometimes up to a year in advance.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT--We need your support to stay ahead of the game!

REWARDS--WE HAVE THEM!

First and foremost, THE BOOKS: Silver Vol 1 & 2. These trade paperbacks are 112 pages, rated teen +. Note that this edition of volume 1 is the STORE EDITION (which debuted at SDCC 14). It has been upgraded since last year's campaign (Feb 14), to include MAKING-OF pages that people have been raving about, a fancy cover with flaps, a stunning vinyl finish, and more. Get these books before everybody else!

SILVER Vol. 1 & 2

We debuted our shirts at SDCC this years, so we know from experience that they are a hit (the tanks sold out on the first day). They are back by popular request. The Tees are available in S, M, L, XL, and XXL, and the tanks in XS, S, and M. These shirts are printed with love in a small boutique shop right here in California, and they are beautiful!

Sledge Shirts

Sledge tanktops

Our digital rewards aren't mere PDF versions of the books! They ALSO include the integrality of the books' layouts! These pages are all about composition, clear acting and drawing shorthands, and are a great companion for anyone interested in the mechanics and craft of visual storytelling.

Silver Vol. 2 layout

CHECK OUT THESE PRINTS

Since SILVER volume 1, readers and art fans have been enjoying our limited edition prints based on some of SILVER's most striking pages! Their vintage pop-artsy look makes these pieces of sequential-art a total conversation starter in your living room, and will make your office wall cool and inspiring.

Limited edition page-prints from SILVER Vol. 1

We are now continuing the tradition with new limited-edition prints from SILVER Vol. 2's splashiest pages!

Need a touch of color? Check these out, just as vintage and cool as the other ones,

These are only a few. The full gallery of print will be posted before reward time, and backers who picked a print package will have A TON TO CHOOSE FROM!

Part of the selection will include images from other corners of the soon-to-be disclosed Dark Planet universe!

All our prints are presented on the highest quality art paper, giving them warm, organic feel you want in an art piece!

CHECK OUT THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY: CTN EXPO 3-DAY VIP PASSES!

For any animation fan, student or a pro, CTN is the most important event of the year! This is the place to find incredible art, get inspired, get your portfolio reviewed by top pros, attend incredible seminars, meet studio recruiters... This event help every November in Burbank, CA is just absolutely UNIQUE and AWESOME, and these tickets are A HUGE DEAL! People fly in from as far as Japan and Australia to attend!

STORY TELLING MASTERCLASSES!

We have been working closely with the amazing folks at the amazing CTN animation Expo, and the affiliated Center Stage Gallery, to set up 2 masterclasses on storytelling that Stephan Franck will teach at the Center Stage Gallery in January 2016:

-Class #1: "Structure and esthetic of story" (this one is about writing and 'story with a capital S').

-Class #2: "Visual storytelling", (which is more about 'drawing', and equally applies to comics, storyboarding, and filmmaking in general).

Tickets for these events are included in our reward packages -- check in the reward section on the right for details!

UPDATE: NEW REWARDS ADDED -- LARGE SIZE ORIGINAL ART

Hi all,

Over the weekend, I had the good fortune to visit the JACK KIRBY exhibit at CSUN, and I was extremely inspired by seeing all those original pages from the King Of Comics. I had know most of those images for most of my life, but seeing the originals was a transformative experience, and really motivated me to do more ink and paper originals.

So since I'm very excited to see that most of the original commissions and cameo rewards are already gone I have decided to add two more LARGE SIZE ORIGINAL ART rewards:

-The JUMBO SIZE FAN-ART SPECIAL: (original ink, 17X22). Not only will I draw your favorite characters, but two more characters from that universe, and their environment.

-the JUMBO SIZE SILVER UNIVERSE SPECIAL: (original ink, 17X22), which will feature the SILVER full cast of main characters (the team, the main vampires, fan fave secondary characters like Myrick, Anna Olson, etc...)

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT! PLEASE KEEP SUPPORTING OUR CREATIVE INDEPENDENCE BY SUPPORTING THIS CAMPAIGN AND LETTING YOUR FRIENDS KNOW ABOUT SILVER!

BUT BEFORE WE GO, A WORD FROM MINOU, THE DARK PLANET CAT:

Risks and challenges

While no one can predict the future, this is a low risk project with a quick turnaround. The content for this book has already been created (90% done as of this writing). Backers of SILVER Volume 2 can expect delivery of their copies and other items in time for the holidays! Yes, THESE 2015 Holidays!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

THE MULLINS
A physical copy of Silver Vol 2 (TPB), the corresponding digital version and Layout (PDF), and a collector set of THREE 11x17 black and white prints (to choose from our print collection)
(Domestic shipping included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $110 or more
About $110

THE MINA HARKER
A physical copy of Silver Vol 1 AND Vol 2 (TPB), the corresponding digital versions and Layouts (PDF), and a collector set of THREE 13x19 color prints (to choose from our print collection).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $140 or more
About $140

THE FULL DRAH-KHANN
A physical copy of Silver Vol 1 AND Vol 2 (TPB), the corresponding digital versions and Layouts (PDF), a collector set of THREE 13x19 color prints (to choose from our print collection) and one cool shirt! (Tee or tank)
(Domestic shipping included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $160 or more
About $160

THE VAULT
A physical copy of Silver Vol 1 AND Vol 2 (TPB), the corresponding digital versions and Layouts (PDF), and a collector set of THREE 13x19 color prints (to choose from our print collection) and TWO cool shirts!
(Domestic shipping included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

CURSE OF THE SILVER DRAGON
A physical copy of Silver Vol 1 AND Vol 2 (TPB), the corresponding digital versions and Layouts (PDF), and a collector set of THREE 11x17 black and white prints, THREE 13x19 color prints (to choose from our print collection) and THREE cool shirts!
(Domestic shipping included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

CTN EXPO 3-DAY VIP PASS + BOOK
Don't miss the incredible opportunity to attend the biggest animation event of the year, help in November in Burbank, California. Comes with a physical copy of SILVER Vol. 1 or 2 to be picked up at the Dark Planet booth during the show.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $275 or more
About $275

IRON GIANT FAN ART SPECIAL: To celebrate the re-release of the movie, a Kickstarter-exclusive original commission by Stephan (Supervising Animator on The Iron Giant) featuring Hogarth interacting with the giant (11X17 original ink)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

SPECIAL CAMEO
Stephan will draw AN ORIGINAL CHARACTER to YOUR LIKENESS in Silver Volume 3. We will also ship you a physical copy of SILVER Vol 3 and a complementary 11X17 signed & numbered limited edition print of the page in which you are featured.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $640 or more
About $640

JUMBO SIZE, EPIC IRON GIANT FAN ART SPECIAL: To celebrate the re-release of the movie, a Kickstarter-exclusive original commission by Stephan (Supervising Animator on The Iron Giant) featuring the whole cast of characters: Hogarth, the giant, Dean, Annie, Kent, The General, with extras and environment (17X22 original ink). This one will be EPIC, my friends!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

WANNA HELP TERRA FORM A NEW PLANET and advance the cause? Receive every single book Dark Planet will publish within the next 20 years, We will take care of shipping on this one! (as long as we can find you).